Cong slams BJP for ‘witchhunt’ of Chidambaram in AircelMaxis case

NEWDELHI: The Congress on Saturday attacked the BJP-led NDA government over “repeated persecution and scurrilous witchhunt” of the family of former finance minister P Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis case.

“Persecution, vendetta and vilification of Opposition leaders have become the ‘sine qua non’ of the current BJP government,” Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

“Tragically, CBI, ED (Enforcement Directorate) and other investigating agencies have become the captive puppets in government’s disgraceful mal-intent to oppress, hound and intimidate its opponents.”

Surjewala’s remarks came a day after Chidambaram said the CBI should be questioning him instead of harassing his son Karti in the Aircel-Maxis case, and accused the probe agency of spreading misinformation.

The Congress said AircelMaxis transaction was approved by Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in 2006. FIPB comprised six senior secretaries and the concurrence and approval then came from Chidambaram, it said.

Agencies did question Chidambaram in 2014, the main opposition party said, adding that FIPB officials were also questioned. “Agencies deliberately widened the ambit and questioned Karti on November 19, 2014, but he categorically rejected the innuendos and insinuations of knowledge or connection to Aircel-Maxis transaction.”

Three years after quashing of proceedings and charges by a special court, Surjewala alleged that the CBI and ED were still hounding Chidambaram’s family in a malicious fashion.

THE CONGRESS SAID AIRCELMAXIS TRANSACTION WAS APPROVED BY FOREIGN INVESTMENT PROMOTION BOARD (FIPB) IN 2006